MATH NEWS
Grade 3, Module 1, Topic B
Fall 2014
Focus Area– Topic B
3rd Grade Math
Module 1: Properties of Multiplication and Division and Solving Problems
with Units of 2-5 and 10
Math Parent Letter
This document is created to give parents and students a better
understanding of the math concepts found in Eureka Math (©
2013 Common Core, Inc.) that is also posted as the Engage
New York material which is taught in the classroom. Module 1
of Eureka Math (Engage New York) covers Properties of
Multiplication and Division and Solving Problems with Units of
2-5 and 10. This newsletter will discuss Module 1, Topic B.
Topic B. Division as an Unknown Factor Problem
Vocabulary Words
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
Multiplication
Quotient
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Unknown
Division
Division as an Unknown Factor Problem
Students will be introduced to division. They will see
multiplication as a way to find the total and division as a
way to find out how many groups or the size of each group.
Tony puts 20 baseballs into bags. He divided them equally
between 5 tables. Draw the baseballs on each table. (Students
will need to draw what is stated in the word problem)
There are 4 baseballs on each table.
20
5 = 4 .
Tracy puts 20 baseballs into bags. Each bag holds 5 balls.
Circle the groups of 5 to show the balls in each bag.
Things to Remember!!!
When we multiply we want to find the total. When we divide
we start with the total and want to find either the number of
groups or the size of the group.
There are 20 marbles and 5 children sharing the marbles. The
total number of marbles and the number of children that is
sharing the marbles is what you know. The unknown in this
situation is how many marbles per child.
You can think 20 5 or 5 x ? = 20.
Tracy needs 4 bags.
4 x 5 = 20
Tracy uses 20 baseballs to make 4 equal groups. Draw to
show how many baseballs are in each group.
20 5 = 4
4 is the quotient in this problem.
5 x 4 = 20
4 is the unknown factor in this problem.
There are 5 baseballs in each group.
4 x 5 = 20
=5
The numbers in the blank represent the number in each group.
Use an array to model.
OBJECTIVE OF TOPIC B
1
Understand the meaning of the unknown as the size of the
group in division.
2
Understand the meaning of the unknown as the number of
groups in division.
3
Interpret the unknown in division using the array model.
=4
The numbers in the blank represent the number of groups.